How to plant a fir tree?

The leaves of the Spanish fir are evergreen

Image - Wikimedia / Liné1

Fir is a conifer that often beautifies the mountainous forests of the northern hemisphere, both in Eurasia and North America. They can reach impressive heights, up to 80 meters, and live an average of 300 years. They are plants that can help us imagine what it would look like, some corners of the Earth when there were no humans, since their evolution began more than 120 million years ago.

Its robustness and high ornamental value make many wonder how to plant a fir tree, and when is the best time to do it. Are you one of them? Well, we are going to solve those doubts.

Fir can be planted in a garden

Image - Flickr / FD Richards

El fir tree it is a conifer that, as we have commented, can become very large. It is a type of plant that needs a lot of space to be able to develop, so it is not a good idea to grow it in a pot for years and years. In addition, it should not be kept indoors either, since it is not prepared to withstand those conditions of heat, lack of ventilation or low humidity.

But it is that, apart from that, it is not necessary to have it indoors. He needs to feel the passing of the seasons, the wind, the cold, the snow. It supports frosts down to -18ºC, but not excessively hot environments. For this reason, it is difficult to see it grow wild at low altitudes, since in these areas the climate is very warm for it.

So, starting from this, What does a fir tree need? Basically the following:

  • Temperate climate, with frosts (and snowfalls) in winter, and mild summers (temperatures of 30ºC or less, preferably).
  • The rains must be distributed throughout the year, as it does not resist drought.
  • High humidity.
  • Fertile land, that is, rich in organic matter. Likewise, it must not be vulnerable to erosion.

What is the best time to plant a fir tree?

We know the needs of fir, but when to plant it in the garden? Well the answer is late winter. Another option is to do it in autumn, but only if this season there is no frost yet. It supports sub-zero temperatures well, but it must be borne in mind that when it is transplanted, it is removed from the pot and placed in another place.

No plant is genetically prepared for transplants, since throughout their lives they remain in the same place: where the seed germinated, or where the stem took root. For this reason, we must always be very careful throughout the process, otherwise we would lose our fir.

What do you need to plant it in the garden?

In addition to the above, it is important that you have on hand:

  • gardening gloves,
  • hoe to make the hole,
  • water, either in a bucket or in a watering can.

And, also, you need to have space. Fir is a large tree, so it must be planted at a minimum distance of five meters from other large plants, walls and walls; and about 7-10 meters (or more) from the pipes.

How to plant a fir tree in the garden step by step?

The Abies alba is a perennial conifer

If you have everything you need, you can transplant your fir following this step by step:

Make a hole

After putting on your gloves and picking up the hoe, you have to make the hole. Pick a place where you think your tree will be able to grow well, without disturbing any other plants or causing problems, and start digging. Ideally, it should be large, 1 x 1 meter. From experience I know that making a hole of this size takes time and is tiring, but if it is done, it will cost less for the tree to root, since the soil is 'loose'.

Fill it with water

It is highly recommended to add water to fill it completely. This way, Not only do you manage to hydrate the soil well, but you will also be able to see if it drains well or if on the contrary you have to do something to improve it. In the event that it absorbs the precious liquid quickly, you will not have to do anything; But if it takes an afternoon (or morning) or more, then it will be very important that you take action.

Put dirt on it

When it has absorbed all the water, add soil, keeping in mind that if the pot it is in is about 40 centimeters high, you have to add soil to leave those 40 centimeters without. Failure to do so could lead to the risk of the fir being either too high or too low relative to the actual surface of the ground, which is one of the things to avoid.

As soil you can use the same that you have extracted when making the hole as long as the water drains well. If it took noon or longer to absorb it, you will have to use a mixture of substrates (peat + perlite + worm castings, in equal parts).

Remove the fir from the pot and plant it in the hole

Very carefully remove the fir from its pot. First of all, check to see if the roots come out of the holes; If so, try to untangle them patiently, or break the pot if it is plastic (with a cuttex you can do it).

As soon as it is out, you have to put it in the hole, placing it in the center. Make sure it sits well above ground level, and then add dirt to finish filling it in.

Lastly, give it a tree grate with soil, so that when you water it can absorb all or a large part of the water.

We hope it has served you.


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